The Lakers could be in contact with both men as early as Saturday morning, Shelburne reported, and the team could meet with Jackson this weekend.

The source said the process to replace Brown won't take long, although the team will perform due diligence. General manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters that the team has a list of candidates, and added, in a conversation with Yahoo! Sports, that a new coach could be in place in "four or five days."

Adding fuel to the Jackson fire: Longtime Jackson assistants Jim Cleamons and Kurt Rambis are ready to join the “Zen Master” on the bench if he returns, sources told Yahoo! Sports.